Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Review: An Amish Family Christmas by Murray Pura

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

After tragedy strikes the family of young Naomi Miller, her friend Rebecca Bachman does all she can to help. But things get complicated when Rebecca's brother, Micah, returns from a combat tour in Afghanistan. For one thing, he chose to serve in the military even though he served as a medic and never picked up a gun. For another, he is under the Meidung--the shunning-- because of that and none of the Amish are permitted to speak to him or eat with him. And finally, he is not only Rebecca's brother, he is Naomi's husband! But how can Naomi pick up where their marriage left off after he turned away from her and his people to enlist in the army? How can Naomi and Micah even begin the process of healing their relationship when he will not repent of what he has done and the Amish will not forgive him for what he has done? Naomi despairs of ever again having a happy married life with her husband.

But God has a way of working on the hearts of His people--especially at Christmas time. When an unexpected turn of events sets things right, miracles happen to the Amish community, to the Miller family, and to Naomi and Micah, miracles that transform everyone.


My Review

This was a sweet read, with an interesting premise. The characters angst became repetitive as time drew on in the story, and the way the plot wrapped up was a little contrived. Three stars out of five- enjoyable story, but not one I'll pick up again.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)

Review: Longing For Home by Sarah Eden


My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

Twenty-six-year-old Katie Macauley has placed all her hope in Hope Springs, a small town in the 1870 Wyoming Territory. But if she wants to return home to Ireland to make amends with her estranged family, she'll need to convince the influential Joseph Archer to hold true to his word and keep her on his payroll as his housekeeper despite her Irish roots. The town is caught in an ongoing feud between the Irish and the "Reds" the frontiersmen who would rather see all the Irish run out of town and the Irish immigrants who are fighting to make a home for themselves in the New World. When Joseph agrees to keep Katie on as his housekeeper, the feud erupts anew, and Katie becomes the reluctant figurehead for the Irish townsfolk. As the violence escalates throughout the town, Katie must choose between the two men who have been vying for her love though only one might be able to restore hope to her heart.

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were realistic and likeable, the romance kept me guessing, the history was eye-opening, and the conflict intense. The only thing I didn't like was that the storyline was not completely wrapped up and I have to wait for a sequel...

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)